ThePrint FirstPersonSecondDraft: Story behind Vajpayee's bus ride to Lahore & Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif's interview to Shekhar Gupta
7 snips
Feb 20, 2026 A behind-the-scenes look at the bold Delhi-Lahore bus idea and how a joking suggestion turned into a historic cross-border visit. The tense Lahore meeting, a conciliatory speech at Minar-e-Pakistan, and the surprise of Kargil infiltration. Intercepted tapes, power struggles with the Pakistani army, and why democratic leaders struggle to finish terms.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
How A Joke Became A Historic Invite
- Shekhar Gupta recounts receiving a delayed interview invitation from Nawaz Sharif that began as a joke about a Delhi-Lahore bus.
- That interview led to Nawaz publicly inviting Atal Bihari Vajpayee, setting up the famous bus-ride breakthrough.
Tense Welcome And A Notable Speech
- Shekhar Gupta describes Vajpayee's 1999 Lahore visit and the tense reception including General Musharraf's initial refusal to salute.
- He recalls Vajpayee's speech at Minar-e-Pakistan calling for a stable, prosperous Pakistan in India's interest.
Kargil Began During The Peace Push
- While peace talks unfolded, Pakistan's army infiltrated Kargil and fighting erupted by mid-May 1999.
- Gupta narrates frantic calls between Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif as both claimed surprise at the military action.